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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429
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 Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 11:01 am Post subject: Foraging After the Snow |
 
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A few worthwhile tips for foraging after the snow melts.
(1) Cold shock is your friend, for picking certain mushrooms that fruit prolifically after snow. What happens is that by having a signal that different sets of mycelium respond to, they fruit at the same time, producing spores synchronously and increasing the chance of a successful mating (the spores grow slowly till they meet another mating type, so if you can all make spores at the same time you've a better chance of success).
Oyster mushrooms will spring up about a week after a frost, and they'll survive a heavy, heavy frost. I've found them deep frozen in woods at this time of year, and I'll be out looking for some as soon as I can. A good spot can give you several kilos, but pick onlu what you need. It can be frozen, of course, but the quality deteriorates with long freezing. Drying it when it's this cold and wet is probably not going to work.
(2) Sweet, blanched greens, such as sorrel, dandelion and cow parsley, appear as soon as the snow melts. Like sticking a plantpot over a danddelion plant for a week can blanche it to make it a bit sweeter, the snow can do a similar thing. Taste sorrel and dandelions as you go, you may be surprised.
(3) As the snow melts, the brooks start to swell. The meltwaters make a good nurturing ground for watercress; as March starts to warm a little, expect to find loads of it.
(4) A week or so after a cold snap in Spring leaves the trees playing the same game as oyster mushrooms. So you'll see cherry blossom, blackthorn (sloe) and the like. Cherry and blackthorn blossom make good eating; use them in ice cream, salads, or just chew them as you walk around. |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429
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